The Argosy — page 189: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

174 Court Netherleigh. “Ah, that was a cruel business. Poor Robert! If he had but brought his troubles to me, I would have saved him.” “The singular thing is, that he did not bring them to Francis,” quickly returned Mrs. Lynn. ‘‘ Francis had the power to aid him, equally with yourself, and he had the will. ‘The very last day of Robert’s life; at least, I think it was the last; he was with Francis in Grosvenor Square, and I believe Francis then offered to help him —or as good as offered to do so.” Margery Upton sighed. It was an unprofitable subject ; a gloomy reminiscence. ‘Let us leave it, Catherine,” she said. ‘“ Did you give your son the name of Francis in remembrance of Francis Netherleigh ?” “Indeed I did not. Sir Francis Netherleigh had hurt me too greatly for me to wish to retain any remembrance of him. Francis was named after his uncle and his father.” ‘‘Were you surprised that Netherleigh was left to me?” resumed Miss Upton, after a pause. “Not at all. I thought it the most natural thing for Sir Francis to do. J had married—and was discarded ; Betsy Cleveland had also married ; her husband was a nobleman, mine was rich, and we neither of us needed Netherleigh. It was not likely he would leave it to either of us. You, on the contrary, continued to live with him as his nlece—his child—and you had no fortune. It was a just bequest, Margery, in my judgment. It never occurred to me to think of it in any other light.” ‘Betsy Acorn has never forgiven me for having inherited it—or forgiven Uncle Francis for leaving it to me. I have wondered at odd moments whether you felt about it as she did.” “T!” returned Mrs. Lynn in surprise. ‘Surely not. I say that Sir Francis did right in leaving it to you. And nowtell me a little about yourself, Margery. Are you in good health ? Youdo not look strong.” We will leave them to themselves. It was a pleasant, and yet a partly sad meeting ; and perhaps each opened her heart to the other in more confidential intercourse than had ever been exchanged between them before. ‘“ Wont you come down and stay with me, and see the old place again, Catherine?” spoke entreatingly the mistress of Court Nether- leigh, in parting. ‘Never again, Margery; never again. I would willingly come to you; I should like to see the dear old spot ; but I shall never be able to go another day’s journey from this, my home. Not very long now, and I shall be carried from it.” Twilight was advancing when the carriage, closed now, came round to take Miss Upton back to*London. — Lovely sunset colours lingered in the west—gold, and crimson, and the changing opal that is so beautiful. A few light clouds floated over the sky; and in the west the crescent moon shone with a pale silvery light’ <5. :45>09)r< (E(@) ete be - ,